The Art Of Power

A REGAL POSE: Yongzheng in Taoist guise in one of his "costume portraits"

Given the western fascination with all things Chinese  from feng shui to fusion food, from Mandarin collars to the mainland economy  it is hardly surprising that London's Royal Academy would mount an exhibition devoted to its art. All the riches of Chinese civilization are on display at the sumptuous "China: The Three Emperors, 1662-1795" show until mid-April: artifacts from ancient dynasties, flowing calligraphy, elaborate scrolls, magnificent dragon-decorated robes, priceless jades and ancestor paintings that represent the most important Confucian value, filial piety. In fact, the subjects of this exhibition are a father, his son and grandson  the Qing...